XLR8 Consulting - About Us
XLR8 is about business processes that support high performance. We specialise in processes NOT systems. We understand that the way people behave (in response to systems), and the environment they are expected to perform in, significantly impact performance.
We exist because many businesses are lured into the trap of thinking that a new system or a new piece of technology can fix many of an organisation’s problems … only to be massively disappointed.
Why?
Most business systems are sold on the basis of a ‘positive financial return’. In other words, your business will save time, need less people and be more efficient by using the new system. Here is what is NOT said … Your business will save time, need less people and be more efficient IF YOUR PEOPLE CAN CHANGE MAGICALLY OVERNIGHT AND DO THINGS ACCORDING TO THE SYSTEM RULES’.
‘Not going to happen’, we hear you say!
At XLR8 we help you to link the potential in people with the potential in your systems … through high performance processes. We have our own unique definition of a high performance process:
A high performance process is any business mechanism that releases human potential.
Let’s look at an example where human potential is hampered by ‘the system’.
Charlie is entering data into Co. Z’s computing system. He is required to enter an authority code of 8 characters. He is not sure which is the right code. XC27Y5FF and XC27Y7GG have very similar meanings to him. He rings Mary, who is normally helpful. Mary’s phone is engaged. Charlie looks at the screen pondering. Should I guess? He try’s Mary again. Still engaged. He decides to guess and enters a code. The system displays an error message, ‘XC27Y5FF is not a valid code for this trans’. Hmmm. What now? Charlie hits the esc key … it takes him back to the main menu and he loses the other data he has entered. Bugger! Charlie retraces his steps. This time he enters XC27Y7GG … ‘Qty. not sufficient to use this code’, the system responds. Charlie rings Mary. Still engaged. What to do now? Charlie looks around. 30 mins has now elapsed since he first sat at the computer. He ponders some more. Charlie then makes his decision. He exits the system, walks into the store area and takes the $0.30 rubber seal that he needs to finish the maintenance job … the production line will soon be up and running again …
Sound far-fetched? Not in our experience. Systems elicit interesting and unexpected human responses. How disengaged might Charlie become if this happened regularly?
At XLR8 we take age-old basic human principles and apply them in the modern world of work. No fancy formulae or mathematic equations … no magic gadgets or management fads … just good sensible process strategies that unlock frustration, disengagement and anxiety. We do things with people not to people.
Here is our challenge to you, our potential customer.
YOUR business would do better to obtain all the unrealised benefits of past business initiatives rather than embark on another business ‘transformation’ crusade! Are your teams & staff looking at you, their leader(s) and thinking about the BOHICA* effect?
* BOHICA = Bend Over Here It Comes Again